Industry
The Download: down the Mandela effect rabbit hole, and the promise of a vaccine for colds
Plus: the US is poised to ban TP-Link devices over the company's alleged links to Russia Why do so many people think the Fruit of the Loom logo had a cornucopia? Quick question: Does the Fruit of the Loom logo feature a cornucopia? Many of us have been wearing the company's T-shirts for decades, and yet the question of whether there is a woven brown horn of plenty on the logo is surprisingly contentious. According to a 2022 poll, 55% of Americans believe the logo does include a cornucopia, 25% are unsure, and only 21% are confident that it doesn't, even though this last group is correct. There's a name for what's happening here: the "Mandela effect," or collective false memory, so called because a number of people misremember that Nelson Mandela died in prison. Yet while many find it easy to let their unconfirmable beliefs go, some spend years seeking answers--and vindication.
The best new science fiction books of November 2025
From Claire North's new novel to a 10th anniversary edition of a brilliant Adrian Tchaikovsky book, there's lots to watch out for in November's science fiction Claire North's Slow Gods follows a deep-space pilot We'll need to get our skates on if we're to keep up with all the new science fiction published in November. And I am creeped out by the idea at the heart of Grace Walker's . Everything feels frightening this month - perhaps the sci-fi world is still in Halloween mode. It sounds poignant, moving and beautiful, and without any supernatural scares. Emily H. Wilson is wild for this sci-fi novel: I've not heard our sci-fi columnist recommend a book so wholeheartedly in all the time she's written for us.
Nvidia strikes bumper AI deals with Asia tech giants
US chip giant Nvidia will supply more than 260,000 of its most advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chips to South Korea's government, as well as Samsung, LG, and Hyundai. The companies will all deploy the AI chips in factories to make everything from semiconductors and robots to autonomous vehicles and meant that South Korea can now produce intelligence as a new export, chief executive Jensen Huang said. Mr Huang did not disclose the value of the South Korean deals. It caps off a busy week for Nvidia, which on Wednesday became the first company to be valued at $5 trillion and on Thursday saw signs of a thaw in US-China trade relations that may mean it can export more of its chips to China . Speaking at a CEO summit on the sidelines of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) in Gyeongju, South Korea, Mr Huang added that with the chips, companies would be able to create digital twins with other factories around the world.
What Hellen Obiri Packs to Run the NYC Marathon 2025
The four-time world champion shares the gear, fuel, and rituals that will power her through this year's New York City Marathon. All products featured on WIRED are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. Marathon runner Hellen Obiri starts her day like many of us: by checking her phone. First, she looks at the weather, then her schedule, and finally her group chats.
Guillermo del Toro Hopes He's Dead Before AI Art Goes Mainstream
Guillermo del Toro Hopes He's Dead Before AI Art Goes Mainstream The director tells WIRED the real Victor Frankensteins are tyrannical politicians and Silicon Valley tech bros. Guillermo del Toro attends the Headline Gala screening of Netflix's during the 69th BFI London Film Festival. Guillermo del Toro loves a challenge. Nothing the 61-year-old director does could be termed "half-assed," and each of his movies is planned, scripted, and storyboarded with immense attention to detail. Such discipline is evident in, his adaptation of Mary Shelley's 1818 novel. It's a movie del Toro has been trying to make for years, and it shows. The elaborate sets and costumes--as well as some embellishing of Shelley's story--could only be the work of someone as connected as he is with his source material.
Our verdict on Our Brains, Our Selves: A mix of praise and misgivings
The New Scientist Book Club has various issues with Masud Husain's prize-winning popular science book about neurology The New Scientist Book Club stepped away from science fiction for our October read, turning to the winner of the Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize instead, serendipitously announced just in time for us to start on our next literary adventure. Six books had been up for the award, from Daniel Levitin's to Sadiah Qureshi's . Judges picked Masud Husain's and they praised it effusively, calling it "a beautiful exploration of how problems in the brain can cause people to lose their sense of self", and citing how these medical histories are "skilfully interwoven with Husain's personal story of moving to the UK as an immigrant in the 1960s, where he found himself grappling with his own sense of belonging". Sandra Knapp, chair of the judging panel for the 2025 Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize, explains why neurologist Masud Husain's collection of case studies is such an enlightening, compassionate book The first thing to say is: our book club members are much tougher judges than those on the panel for the Royal Society prize! While I think we were excited to get to grips with this book, and to venture into the world of non-fiction for a change, there were many issues that were raised and picked over by our readers. Let's tackle the positives first.
Here's why we don't have a cold vaccine. Yet.
Here's why we don't have a cold vaccine. Preventing the common cold is extremely tricky--but not impossible. As the weather turns, we're all spending more time indoors. The kids have been back at school for a couple of months. And cold germs are everywhere. My youngest started school this year, and along with artwork and seedlings, she has also been bringing home lots of lovely bugs to share with the rest of her family.
Government to help rural businesses adopt robots amid labor shortage
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has set up a support organization, in cooperation with local governments, to accelerate robot adoption by small and midsize enterprises (SMEs) in rural areas. Aimed at boosting productivity despite labor shortages, the group will train advisers to help companies introduce and use robotics effectively and will share leading case studies from across the country. Population decline in nonurban areas is accelerating, and labor shortages are becoming more severe, particularly in manufacturing. As a result, many SMEs are struggling to secure new employees. The ministry argues that wider use of robots can help by automating task performance, boosting productivity and reducing the burdens of physically demanding work.